Buyers Beware: BBL|06 Watch List
The BBL is finally about to get rolling and Draftstars is here to add even more excitement to the action. But, with all this action going on, you could be excused to miss a few clashing fixtures that will pull BBL players into national duty. These clashing dates will have two things come from them.
The first and most obvious is that some players will be unavailable for selection in Draftstars contests. The second and not as obvious result is that players who may previously have been batting or bowling below a national player will have the opportunity to step up and pick up the slack.
Test & ODI players
Dave Warner, Steve Smith, Matthew Wade, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood
Don’t expect to see any of these guys in anything other than whites or the green and gold. Warner is so set in Australian national duty that he in fact isn’t on a BBL list any more and Smith has been shifted to an ambassador roll for the Sixers so they can save money on the salary cap.
Starc and Hazlewood are also pretty well set in both national teams but may slip out if they have a horror run of form, but this isn’t likely.
Wade is the one to keep an eye on. The debate is back on as to who should have the gloves in the test team and Wade is no certainty for the Boxing Day test. Keep an eye on this one as he may slip back into the Renegades team and Neville or another will come up.
In and Out players
Shaun Marsh, Chris Lynn, Adam Voges, Usman Khawaja, Jackson Bird, Nathan Lyon
This group is a mixed bag, with injury, form and age amongst the reasons why there aren’t currently on national duty.
Marsh looks set to return through the BBL and will be set on reclaiming his test spot by showing he hasn’t lost any touch during his lay off. He’s a proven BBL performer and boasts the best average in the competitions history with 59.31. While he’s available, jump on him. Lynn is another out with injury. He’ll be touch and go for early games but may prove to be great value by coming in with low expectations.
Voges is part of the older brigade that seem to be on their way out under the new direction of blooding youth. He’s a sneaky chance of a test recall if the selectors think conditions may best suit him, but it’s not likely, so if you want him in your side, go for it.
Having been overlooked for an ODI series last season Khawaja came out swinging in the BBL and showed he has serious hitting power. If he’s overlooked again for the ODI series this year he is a must have for BBL, but I wouldn’t hold your breath on his availabiltiy.
The big Bird can go either way. He’s a solid buy for the BBL but not a must have. Watch this space.
Lyon is the mystery amongst these players as speculation continues to swirl as to if he is in the best Australian XI. He seems to have recaptured a bit of form in Brisbane but is no certainty for Boxing Day with a wicket that generally doesn’t give a heap to spinners. Watch this space.
Mystery Players
Aaron Finch, Pat Cummins, George Bailey, James Faulkner, Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell, Mitch Marsh
Test cricket looks to be beyond most of these guys for the Aussie summer. Pat Cummins may be the exception if selectors are comfortable getting him into the long form of the game so soon after returning from injury, but this is probably unlikely and only in Sydney.
The rest of these guys are right in the mix for the ODI series and selection will likely come down to their form in the BBL for their respective teams leading up to it.
Finch and Head are likely starters in the ODIs with their power hitting a point of difference. Faulkner would like his chances of getting a game, but as the opposition start to get more and more comfortable with his slower balls he probably slides back to the pack a bit.
Bailey, Maxwell and Mitch Marsh are all there or there about, with team composition and conditions likely to play the biggest part in their selection.
The Fence Clearers
Chris Lynn, Aaron Finch, George Bailey, Travis Head,
These guys have serious fence clearing ability, which is definitely worth taking note for our Clear the Fence promotion. Through selected games in the BBL we’re giving away 50cents for every 6 hit, whether you have that player in our team or not.
So if you take part in the Strikers v Heat contest and there are 18 sixes hit in the match you’ll get $9 for free, whether you take home any match winnings or not.
Lynn and Head came in first and second respectively for most sixes hit last season so when they are playing make hay while the sun shines. Finch has managed to hit the roof at Etihad stadium so obviously can pound it and Bailey could do anything.
BBL SCORING SYSTEM:
BATTING
Run Scored = 1 pt
Boundary Bonus- 4s = 1 pt
Boundary Bonus- 6s = 2 pts
Strike Rate Bonus = 1 pt*
*For every run a player scores above the amount of balls faced: E.g. if a player scores 40 off 26 balls, they score an additional 14 points.
BOWLING
Dot Ball = 1 pt
Maiden Over Bonus = 15 pts
Wicket = 25 pts
3+ Wicket Bonus = 10 pts
Extras Penalty (Wide or No-Ball) = -1 pt
Economy Rate Bonus (4 or less runs per over)^ = 25 pts
Economy Rate Bonus (4.01-5 runs per over)^ = 20 pts
Economy Rate Bonus (5.01-6 runs per over)^ = 15 pts
Economy Rate Bonus (6.01-7 runs per over)^ = 10 pts
Economy Rate Bonus (7.01-8 runs per over)^ = 5 pts
^Must bost at least 2 overs for Economy Rate bonus
Fielding
Catch = 10 points
Stumping = 15 points
Run Out = 20 points